Agricultural News

Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn caught up with Zack Rendel, a diversified crop farmer from Miami, Oklahoma operating on 5,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum and canola, during the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio this week. Click on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story to hear their conversation from San Antonio.

Rendel participated on a panel discussion during the event, examining different ways for farmers to break through their yield barriers and increase their bushels per acre. Rendel says he has tried looking outside the box for solutions to maximize his profit margins with the adoption of new innovative tools and technology.

“It’s not your grandfather’s farm anymore,” he said. “I’m just looking at new ways to push my yields. Don’t be afraid to try new things. What’s the next step to push those yields further than where we’re at.”

According to Rendel, heat stress is one of the main hindrances he faces on his operation, especially with his corn, soybeans and sorghum. By chance encounter with a Stoller representative at last year’s Commodity Classic, Rendel found himself with a test plot of Stoller Bioforge and has since become a believer in using inputs like these to improve the quality of his crop. He says he would highly recommend other farmers to try out new products and find what fits their needs to produce the best crop they can.

“Do some on farm testing. Don’t be afraid to approach these companies and say hey I’m a little on the fence, do you have some product I could try,” Rendel asserted. “Chances are they are going to give you ten acres or so, because they want the farmer to succeed. They’re going to give you some product to let you try and let you see firsthand. That’s exactly what I did.”

Carson Horn talks with Zach Rendel at the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio